He's allowed to think Fred's an asshole, maybe he was an asshole to him.
On the other hand, to carry this grudge for 20 years (and 10 years after Fred's death) seems kinda lame.
Rubbersuit
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Gregsynth
[QUOTE]
[b]GratefulFan wrote: [/b]
It's silly and unnecessarily naive to think that Freddie never acted like a jerk. It was not the main pillar of his personality for certain, because the full record indicates that he was more than anything else a thoughtful, fun and generous man. But there is more than enough anecdotal information about occasional behaviour that could certainly be perceived as prima donna like. It means nothing in the big picture, and it's hardly worth sticking one's head in the sand over.[/QUOTE]
Oh, and I never said he never acted like a jerk. I'm just saying what you wrote, Freddie's main personality is a kind, humble guy. Yes, even Freddie had his moments of being an asshole/prima donna, but that's normal. Steve Walsh thinks that's what Freddie is IN GENERAL. I think Freddie may have been a bit of a prima donna in the beginning (just think about it--at the time, he was the LEAD SINGER in a rising band with a couple of hits under his belt), but he got himself out of the "lead singer disease" situation before he started alienating his peers.
[b]GratefulFan wrote: [/b]
It's silly and unnecessarily naive to think that Freddie never acted like a jerk. It was not the main pillar of his personality for certain, because the full record indicates that he was more than anything else a thoughtful, fun and generous man. But there is more than enough anecdotal information about occasional behaviour that could certainly be perceived as prima donna like. It means nothing in the big picture, and it's hardly worth sticking one's head in the sand over.[/QUOTE]
Oh, and I never said he never acted like a jerk. I'm just saying what you wrote, Freddie's main personality is a kind, humble guy. Yes, even Freddie had his moments of being an asshole/prima donna, but that's normal. Steve Walsh thinks that's what Freddie is IN GENERAL. I think Freddie may have been a bit of a prima donna in the beginning (just think about it--at the time, he was the LEAD SINGER in a rising band with a couple of hits under his belt), but he got himself out of the "lead singer disease" situation before he started alienating his peers.
Gregsynth
[QUOTE]
[b]Rubbersuit wrote: [/b]
He's allowed to think Fred's an asshole, maybe he was an asshole to him.
On the other hand, to carry this grudge for 20 years (and 10 years after Fred's death) seems kinda lame.
[/QUOTE]
Steve is allowed to have his opinions on other people--but Steve is KNOWN (see Youtube videos, and SEVERAL posters on Kansas/Steve Walsh videos) to have an ego, and to be an asshole to his peers (including his BANDMATES)! Freddie isn't known for that kind of crap.
Maybe Freddie called him out? Maybe Freddie WAS acting like a jerk to Steve? No one knows (except for Steve and maybe the other members of Queen).
[b]Rubbersuit wrote: [/b]
He's allowed to think Fred's an asshole, maybe he was an asshole to him.
On the other hand, to carry this grudge for 20 years (and 10 years after Fred's death) seems kinda lame.
[/QUOTE]
Steve is allowed to have his opinions on other people--but Steve is KNOWN (see Youtube videos, and SEVERAL posters on Kansas/Steve Walsh videos) to have an ego, and to be an asshole to his peers (including his BANDMATES)! Freddie isn't known for that kind of crap.
Maybe Freddie called him out? Maybe Freddie WAS acting like a jerk to Steve? No one knows (except for Steve and maybe the other members of Queen).
ilikefreddyguy
Am I the only one that finds it hilarious that a band called Kansas (named after the state known MOSTLY for it's constant Tornadoes) has a hit called "Dust in the Wind?"
And Dust In The Wind is a bit folksy, y'know? Like a Simon and Garfunkel song. "Carry On My Wayward Son" is more of a rock'n'roll song that most Queen fans would probably like, and it's not a half-bad song, to it's right.
Then again, I bought "The Best of Kansas" on vinyl, and I don't know ANY of the other tracks (one is called "Play The Game Tonight" ironically.)
And in the "talent" arena, neither "Dust in the Wind" NOR "Carry On My Wayward Son" were even WRITTEN by Steve Walsh, infact according to this record Steve only CO-WROTE one of their "best" songs. So I think Stevie there has NO right to say who has an ego over talent, yeah?.
And Dust In The Wind is a bit folksy, y'know? Like a Simon and Garfunkel song. "Carry On My Wayward Son" is more of a rock'n'roll song that most Queen fans would probably like, and it's not a half-bad song, to it's right.
Then again, I bought "The Best of Kansas" on vinyl, and I don't know ANY of the other tracks (one is called "Play The Game Tonight" ironically.)
And in the "talent" arena, neither "Dust in the Wind" NOR "Carry On My Wayward Son" were even WRITTEN by Steve Walsh, infact according to this record Steve only CO-WROTE one of their "best" songs. So I think Stevie there has NO right to say who has an ego over talent, yeah?.
Gregsynth
[QUOTE]
[b]BlazeGoldmine wrote: [/b]
Am I the only one that finds it hilarious that a band called Kansas (named after the state known MOSTLY for it's constant Tornadoes) has a hit called "Dust in the Wind?"
And Dust In The Wind is a bit folksy, y'know? Like a Simon and Garfunkel song. "Carry On My Wayward Son" is more of a rock'n'roll song that most Queen fans would probably like, and it's not a half-bad song, to it's right.
Then again, I bought "The Best of Kansas" on vinyl, and I don't know ANY of the other tracks (one is called "Play The Game Tonight" ironically.)
And in the "talent" arena, neither "Dust in the Wind" NOR "Carry On My Wayward Son" were even WRITTEN by Steve Walsh, infact according to this record Steve only CO-WROTE one of their "best" songs. So I think Stevie there has NO right to say who has an ego over talent, yeah?.
[/QUOTE]
Oh, you NAILED it! It was KENNY LIVGREN who wrote almost all the classic Kansas songs!
[b]BlazeGoldmine wrote: [/b]
Am I the only one that finds it hilarious that a band called Kansas (named after the state known MOSTLY for it's constant Tornadoes) has a hit called "Dust in the Wind?"
And Dust In The Wind is a bit folksy, y'know? Like a Simon and Garfunkel song. "Carry On My Wayward Son" is more of a rock'n'roll song that most Queen fans would probably like, and it's not a half-bad song, to it's right.
Then again, I bought "The Best of Kansas" on vinyl, and I don't know ANY of the other tracks (one is called "Play The Game Tonight" ironically.)
And in the "talent" arena, neither "Dust in the Wind" NOR "Carry On My Wayward Son" were even WRITTEN by Steve Walsh, infact according to this record Steve only CO-WROTE one of their "best" songs. So I think Stevie there has NO right to say who has an ego over talent, yeah?.
[/QUOTE]
Oh, you NAILED it! It was KENNY LIVGREN who wrote almost all the classic Kansas songs!
GratefulFan
It's likely there are hundreds of people out there beyond Steve Walsh whose ENTIRE experience of Mercury was one of an unpleasant, unlikeable twit. Why is this so hard to accept? Peter Freestone said "Although he could be a tyrant, a demanding unreasonable prima donna, underneath the facade he had one of the softest, kindest hearts imaginable." Freestone had sustained and intimate access to him for years - plenty of time to come to know the complete man, but many others of course would not. Who can forget the time he screamed for Freestone to come down several floors to Barbara Valentin's car at the curb so Freestone could push the lock button on the car door for him because he didn't know how and couldn't be bothered finding out? Actual story, told by Valentin and confirmed by Freestone. He was fully capable of self indulgence at the expense of others, and in some cases that's all people are going to know or remember.
The Real Wizard
[QUOTE]
[b]philip storey wrote: [/b]
I don't think i have ever heard a song by Kansas,are they any good ? I imagine they would be in the Boston,Journey style ?[/QUOTE]
Kansas is best described as a 70s prog rock band with a couple dabbles in mainstream pop as mentioned above. Their first few records are superb.
[b]philip storey wrote: [/b]
I don't think i have ever heard a song by Kansas,are they any good ? I imagine they would be in the Boston,Journey style ?[/QUOTE]
Kansas is best described as a 70s prog rock band with a couple dabbles in mainstream pop as mentioned above. Their first few records are superb.
Wiley
[QUOTE]
[b]GratefulFan wrote: [/b]
It's likely there are hundreds of people out there beyond Steve Walsh whose ENTIRE experience of Mercury was one of an unpleasant, unlikeable twit. Why is this so hard to accept? Peter Freestone said "Although he could be a tyrant, a demanding unreasonable prima donna, underneath the facade he had one of the softest, kindest hearts imaginable." Freestone had sustained and intimate access to him for years - plenty of time to come to know the complete man, but many others of course would not. Who can forget the time he screamed for Freestone to come down several floors to Barbara Valentin's car at the curb so Freestone could push the lock button on the car door for him because he didn't know how and couldn't be bothered finding out? Actual story, told by Valentin and confirmed by Freestone. He was fully capable of self indulgence at the expense of others, and in some cases that's all people are going to know or remember.[/QUOTE]
Good point!
In my earlier post I didn't really mean that Freddie was a snob in the strictest sense of the word but he could certainly be perceived as one, or even as an asshole, in a given situation.
His image was built around dressing nicely, toasting with champagne with the audience and spending a million pounds in a shopping trip to Japan.
Also, are we supposed to think that Freddie got rid of his extroverted stage persona right after he got out of the stage? Wouldn't you feel almost God-like for perhaps 15 minutes after stealing a show and having 50,000 people in the palm of your hands?
Well, maybe everyone else would feel happier if we found out that Freddie was nasty and rude to this Kansas guy because he was a homophobe/racist/child molestor/just an asshole and "he deserved it"?
Let's ask Bono what he thinks about Freddie, considering he pinned him against the wall after his performance in Live Aid, hehe :)
[b]GratefulFan wrote: [/b]
It's likely there are hundreds of people out there beyond Steve Walsh whose ENTIRE experience of Mercury was one of an unpleasant, unlikeable twit. Why is this so hard to accept? Peter Freestone said "Although he could be a tyrant, a demanding unreasonable prima donna, underneath the facade he had one of the softest, kindest hearts imaginable." Freestone had sustained and intimate access to him for years - plenty of time to come to know the complete man, but many others of course would not. Who can forget the time he screamed for Freestone to come down several floors to Barbara Valentin's car at the curb so Freestone could push the lock button on the car door for him because he didn't know how and couldn't be bothered finding out? Actual story, told by Valentin and confirmed by Freestone. He was fully capable of self indulgence at the expense of others, and in some cases that's all people are going to know or remember.[/QUOTE]
Good point!
In my earlier post I didn't really mean that Freddie was a snob in the strictest sense of the word but he could certainly be perceived as one, or even as an asshole, in a given situation.
His image was built around dressing nicely, toasting with champagne with the audience and spending a million pounds in a shopping trip to Japan.
Also, are we supposed to think that Freddie got rid of his extroverted stage persona right after he got out of the stage? Wouldn't you feel almost God-like for perhaps 15 minutes after stealing a show and having 50,000 people in the palm of your hands?
Well, maybe everyone else would feel happier if we found out that Freddie was nasty and rude to this Kansas guy because he was a homophobe/racist/child molestor/just an asshole and "he deserved it"?
Let's ask Bono what he thinks about Freddie, considering he pinned him against the wall after his performance in Live Aid, hehe :)
Crazy LittleThing
Dust. Wind. Dude.
pittrek
I think Freddie was an asshole on stage, because it was a part of the show. But if he was an asshole in privacy, I don't believe the band would stay together for 20 years
Angeline
[QUOTE]
[b]Gregsynth wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]GratefulFan wrote: [/b]
It's silly and unnecessarily naive to think that Freddie never acted like a jerk. It was not the main pillar of his personality for certain, because the full record indicates that he was more than anything else a thoughtful, fun and generous man. But there is more than enough anecdotal information about occasional behaviour that could certainly be perceived as prima donna like. It means nothing in the big picture, and it's hardly worth sticking one's head in the sand over.
[/QUOTE]
Oh, and I never said he never acted like a jerk. I'm just saying what you wrote, Freddie's main personality is a kind, humble guy. Yes, even Freddie had his moments of being an asshole/prima donna, but that's normal. Steve Walsh thinks that's what Freddie is IN GENERAL. I think Freddie may have been a bit of a prima donna in the beginning (just think about it--at the time, he was the LEAD SINGER in a rising band with a couple of hits under his belt), but he got himself out of the "lead singer disease" situation before he started alienating his peers.
[/QUOTE]
Gregsynth - In my experience of being a fan and literally reading almost every interview/biography that is available, I don't think even Freddie's close friends would describe him as solely a 'kind, humble guy'.
Freddie was a bit of genius, supremely talented, creative and these things tend to make people difficult. I bet Freddie COULD be a snob, could rant and rave and be an arsehole. I tend to think that that is outward behaviour related to the stress and everything of being a star and a perfectionist and a human being.
I kind of love him for that. It's part and parcel. If Freddie had been a ONLY a sweet, kind deferential guy, none of us would have any interest in him, as we'd never have heard of him.
And, let's face, Freddie wouldn't have given a flying fuck what Steve Walsh said in an interview about him when he was alive and now that's he's dead ... remember the quote?
[b]Gregsynth wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]GratefulFan wrote: [/b]
It's silly and unnecessarily naive to think that Freddie never acted like a jerk. It was not the main pillar of his personality for certain, because the full record indicates that he was more than anything else a thoughtful, fun and generous man. But there is more than enough anecdotal information about occasional behaviour that could certainly be perceived as prima donna like. It means nothing in the big picture, and it's hardly worth sticking one's head in the sand over.
[/QUOTE]
Oh, and I never said he never acted like a jerk. I'm just saying what you wrote, Freddie's main personality is a kind, humble guy. Yes, even Freddie had his moments of being an asshole/prima donna, but that's normal. Steve Walsh thinks that's what Freddie is IN GENERAL. I think Freddie may have been a bit of a prima donna in the beginning (just think about it--at the time, he was the LEAD SINGER in a rising band with a couple of hits under his belt), but he got himself out of the "lead singer disease" situation before he started alienating his peers.
[/QUOTE]
Gregsynth - In my experience of being a fan and literally reading almost every interview/biography that is available, I don't think even Freddie's close friends would describe him as solely a 'kind, humble guy'.
Freddie was a bit of genius, supremely talented, creative and these things tend to make people difficult. I bet Freddie COULD be a snob, could rant and rave and be an arsehole. I tend to think that that is outward behaviour related to the stress and everything of being a star and a perfectionist and a human being.
I kind of love him for that. It's part and parcel. If Freddie had been a ONLY a sweet, kind deferential guy, none of us would have any interest in him, as we'd never have heard of him.
And, let's face, Freddie wouldn't have given a flying fuck what Steve Walsh said in an interview about him when he was alive and now that's he's dead ... remember the quote?
Angeline
Sorry above post mainly superfluous after reading Wiley and Grateful fan's excellent contributions.
Gregsynth
[QUOTE]
[b]Angeline wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]Gregsynth wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]GratefulFan wrote: [/b]
It's silly and unnecessarily naive to think that Freddie never acted like a jerk. It was not the main pillar of his personality for certain, because the full record indicates that he was more than anything else a thoughtful, fun and generous man. But there is more than enough anecdotal information about occasional behaviour that could certainly be perceived as prima donna like. It means nothing in the big picture, and it's hardly worth sticking one's head in the sand over.
[/QUOTE]
Oh, and I never said he never acted like a jerk. I'm just saying what you wrote, Freddie's main personality is a kind, humble guy. Yes, even Freddie had his moments of being an asshole/prima donna, but that's normal. Steve Walsh thinks that's what Freddie is IN GENERAL. I think Freddie may have been a bit of a prima donna in the beginning (just think about it--at the time, he was the LEAD SINGER in a rising band with a couple of hits under his belt), but he got himself out of the "lead singer disease" situation before he started alienating his peers.
[/QUOTE]
Gregsynth - In my experience of being a fan and literally reading almost every interview/biography that is available, I don't think even Freddie's close friends would describe him as solely a 'kind, humble guy'.
Freddie was a bit of genius, supremely talented, creative and these things tend to make people difficult. I bet Freddie COULD be a snob, could rant and rave and be an arsehole. I tend to think that that is outward behaviour related to the stress and everything of being a star and a perfectionist and a human being.
I kind of love him for that. It's part and parcel. If Freddie had been a ONLY a sweet, kind deferential guy, none of us would have any interest in him, as we'd never have heard of him.
And, let's face, Freddie wouldn't have given a flying fuck what Steve Walsh said in an interview about him when he was alive and now that's he's dead ... remember the quote?
[/QUOTE]
Agree, but what I was trying to get at, was that Freddie WAS a nice and humble guy. Yes, I believe you, (and Freddie's friends), that Freddie at times could be unreasonable and a bit of a prima donna. But unlike Steve Walsh, he never treated his fans like shit, or alienate his band mates. Sure, Freddie had an ego (I would too, if I was the greatest rock singer with multiple hit songs to my name), but for the most part, he kept it under control enough, so that he didn't across in general, as an asshole.
[b]Angeline wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]Gregsynth wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]GratefulFan wrote: [/b]
It's silly and unnecessarily naive to think that Freddie never acted like a jerk. It was not the main pillar of his personality for certain, because the full record indicates that he was more than anything else a thoughtful, fun and generous man. But there is more than enough anecdotal information about occasional behaviour that could certainly be perceived as prima donna like. It means nothing in the big picture, and it's hardly worth sticking one's head in the sand over.
[/QUOTE]
Oh, and I never said he never acted like a jerk. I'm just saying what you wrote, Freddie's main personality is a kind, humble guy. Yes, even Freddie had his moments of being an asshole/prima donna, but that's normal. Steve Walsh thinks that's what Freddie is IN GENERAL. I think Freddie may have been a bit of a prima donna in the beginning (just think about it--at the time, he was the LEAD SINGER in a rising band with a couple of hits under his belt), but he got himself out of the "lead singer disease" situation before he started alienating his peers.
[/QUOTE]
Gregsynth - In my experience of being a fan and literally reading almost every interview/biography that is available, I don't think even Freddie's close friends would describe him as solely a 'kind, humble guy'.
Freddie was a bit of genius, supremely talented, creative and these things tend to make people difficult. I bet Freddie COULD be a snob, could rant and rave and be an arsehole. I tend to think that that is outward behaviour related to the stress and everything of being a star and a perfectionist and a human being.
I kind of love him for that. It's part and parcel. If Freddie had been a ONLY a sweet, kind deferential guy, none of us would have any interest in him, as we'd never have heard of him.
And, let's face, Freddie wouldn't have given a flying fuck what Steve Walsh said in an interview about him when he was alive and now that's he's dead ... remember the quote?
[/QUOTE]
Agree, but what I was trying to get at, was that Freddie WAS a nice and humble guy. Yes, I believe you, (and Freddie's friends), that Freddie at times could be unreasonable and a bit of a prima donna. But unlike Steve Walsh, he never treated his fans like shit, or alienate his band mates. Sure, Freddie had an ego (I would too, if I was the greatest rock singer with multiple hit songs to my name), but for the most part, he kept it under control enough, so that he didn't across in general, as an asshole.
Angeline
Agreed.
12yrslouetta
Erm, but we dont and didnt know freddie mercury. Steve walsh spent time with him during touring. So he knew him 30m times better than we all did and he has no real reason to lie. In fact it would make a better story if he said that freddie was a great guy, a genius and he loved kansas music. Anyway who cares. Im sure if someone interviewed brian mays ex wife she may not say the nicest things about brian may either.